KR100773472B1 - Operation control method of the refrigerator in accordance with the illumination and refrigerator using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a refrigerator according to illuminance of a surrounding light, and a refrigerator using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an operation control method suitable for a mini bar control of a lodging establishment and a mini bar using the same. The refrigerator of the present invention includes an illuminance sensing unit for measuring the ambient illuminance of a refrigerator and generating a measured illuminance value, a cooling unit for reducing a temperature inside the refrigerator through circulation of the refrigerant when a predetermined power is supplied, When the measured illuminance value is lower than the predetermined illuminance value in a state where the measured illuminance value is higher than the predetermined set illuminance value, the power supply to the cooling unit is interrupted for a predetermined time period. With this configuration, when the ambient illuminance of the refrigerator of the present invention is lowered below the set illuminance value, the user recognizes that the illuminant is turned off to take sleep, and stops supplying power to the cooling unit for a predetermined period Thereby preventing the noise caused by the operation of the motor and the fan of the cooling unit and supplying the power to the cooling unit again after a predetermined time that is sufficient for the user to take a good night's sleep has elapsed so as to achieve the original purpose of the refrigerator, There is an effect that can be taken.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator according to illuminance and a refrigerator using the same,

1 is a view showing a structure of a conventional refrigerator.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the illuminance sensing unit 220 is implemented together with an adjustment panel, which is a user input / output unit 230 provided on a front surface of a refrigerator.

3B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the illuminance sensing unit 220 is implemented as an extension cable 222 and an optical sensor 224 and extends to the outside according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator according to the illuminance of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling operation of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator and a refrigerator using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator according to illuminance of a surrounding light, and a refrigerator using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an operation control method suitable for a mini bar control of a lodging establishment and a mini bar using the same.

1, a household refrigerator 1 is a device for maintaining freshness by controlling the temperature of a food, and includes a main body 10, a freezing room 60 for freezing and storing food, a refrigerating chamber 70 for refrigerating and storing food, And a cooling device for cooling the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

The cooling device includes a compressor (20) installed at a lower side of the main body so as to compress the refrigerant, a condenser (30) attached to the back surface of the main body so as to heat the refrigerant compressed from the compressor by heat exchange, An evaporator 50 installed in the freezer compartment for evaporating the refrigerant at a low temperature by heat exchange so as to cool the air, and an evaporator 50 for cooling the air passed through the evaporator to flow in the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. And cooling fans 46 and 47 that are rotated.

At this time, the compressor 10 is generally a reciprocating type and rotary type compressor, and the reciprocating type compressor is a type of compressing the refrigerant by linear motion of the piston by converting linear motion of the motor, The roller is linearly rotated to compress the refrigerant.

During the refrigeration cycle of the cooling apparatus, the compressor is continuously turned on / off. When the compressor is operated, a fan (not shown) installed in the condenser and the cooling fans 46 and 47 installed in the freezing and refrigerating chambers are operated together, When stopped, the condensing fan and the cooling fans 46 and 47 are also not operated.

A general household refrigerator and a mini bar for a guest house operate in the above-described manner, and noise due to the rotation of the motor and the cooling fans driving the compressor occurs. Particularly, such noises are relatively louder at night or at night time, and such noise has a problem that interrupts the sleep of people who take sleep.

Particularly, in the case of a hotel such as a hotel, a refrigerator or a mini bar is often located in the same space as a bed, and thus there is a problem that the sleep of a guest who wants to take a sleep in the bed is disturbed.

The present invention provides a method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator or a mini bar according to not only the temperature of a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment but also the illuminance of a surrounding light so as not to interfere with the sleep of the above-mentioned guests, .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: an illuminance detector for measuring ambient illuminance of a refrigerator to generate a measured illuminance value; A cooling unit that reduces the temperature inside the refrigerator through the circulation process of the refrigerant when the predetermined power is supplied; And a control unit for interrupting power supply to the cooling unit for a predetermined time according to the measured illuminance value.

In addition, when the measured illuminance value is higher than the predetermined illuminance value and the measured illuminance value is lower than the set illuminance value, the control unit may cut off the power supply to the cooling unit for a predetermined time.

The refrigerator may further include a user input / output unit for displaying current state information of the refrigerator to a user, and receiving at least one of a set illumination value, a set temperature value, and a predetermined time from a user; And a setting value storage unit for storing at least one of the setting illuminance value, the set temperature value, and the predetermined time.

Further, the refrigerator may further include a temperature sensing unit for measuring a temperature inside the refrigerator to generate a measured temperature value and outputting the measured temperature value to the control unit. When the measured temperature value is equal to or lower than a predetermined range of the preset temperature value The power supply to the cooling unit is interrupted, and when the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than a predetermined range of the set temperature value, the power can be supplied to the cooling unit.

When the measured illuminance value is lower than the set illuminance value in a state where the measured illuminance value is lower than the predetermined illuminance value, the control unit operates an internal timer to check whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. It is checked whether the timer is in operation. If the timer is in operation, power can be supplied to the cooling unit after a predetermined time elapses.

Also, the control unit may supply power to the cooling unit when the measured illuminance value input from the illuminance sensing unit changes to a value equal to or higher than the set illuminance value, even before a predetermined time elapses.

The above-described illuminance sensing unit includes an extension cable and an optical sensor provided on an end face of the extension cable. The extension cable is biased by a force so as to position the optical sensor in a position suitable for measuring the illuminance around the refrigerator. It is possible to apply a coating of a predetermined material to a floating metal capable of adjusting the degree of the metal.

In addition, the illuminance detecting unit may include a predetermined optical sensor, and the optical sensor may be installed on a front surface of the refrigerator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator operation control method for controlling operation of a refrigerator according to ambient illuminance of a refrigerator under operation, the method comprising: (a) measuring a peripheral illuminance of the refrigerator, Generating a value; (b) checking whether the measured illuminance value changes from a predetermined illuminance value or more to less than a predetermined illuminance value; And (c) shutting off the power supply to the cooling unit for reducing the internal temperature of the refrigerator by circulating the refrigerant for a predetermined time when the measured illuminance value changes from the setting illuminance value to less than the set illuminance value.

In addition, the method may further include a step of receiving and adjusting the set illumination value and the predetermined time from the user before the step (a).

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a temperature sensing unit 210, an illumination sensing unit 220, a user input / output unit 230, a set value storage unit 240, a cooling unit 260, And a control unit 250 for controlling the control unit 250.

The temperature sensing unit 210 senses the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment and outputs a temperature value to the controller 250.

The illuminance sensing unit 220 is implemented by an optical sensor (preferably, a CDS sensor), and measures the illuminance by the ambient light of the refrigerator or the illuminance of the predetermined position, and outputs the illuminance value to the controller 250. Specifically, the illuminance sensing unit 220 is installed together with the user input / output unit 230 on one side wall of the refrigerator or on the front door of the refrigerator to generate an illuminance value by sensing illuminance by the ambient light of the refrigerator, (250).

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the illuminance sensing unit 220 is implemented together with an adjustment panel, which is a user input / output unit 230 provided on a front surface of a refrigerator. 3A, a user input / output unit 230 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an illumination sensing unit 220 having an LCD panel for providing information to a user and a sensor for measuring illuminance on the left side And various item selection buttons for inputting set values are provided at the lower end of the LCD panel and operation buttons for inputting set values are provided on the right side of the LCD panel. However, since such a configuration is only an embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that other portions except the illuminance detection unit 220 may be implemented by a single touch screen.

On the other hand, in the case where the refrigerator is installed not to be exposed to the indoor space, but to be housed in furniture or the like, when the illuminance detection unit 220 is installed on the front or one side of the refrigerator, In contrast to this case, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the illuminance sensing unit 220 is implemented by an optical sensor installed at the end of a cable and a cable so that the optical sensor is positioned at a place where the illuminance of the room illumination can be measured The cable extends from the rear of the refrigerator. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the illuminance sensing unit 220 is implemented as an extension cable 222 and an optical sensor 224 and extends to the outside according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3B, the optical sensor 224 is installed at the end of the extension cable 222, and the fluidity of the extension cable 222 can adjust the position of the optical sensor 224 in the most suitable position and direction . To this end, the extension cable 222 equipped with the optical sensor 224 is covered with a covering made of a material such as silicon, and a flexible metal that can control the degree of bending by applying a force to the inside of the extension cable 222 is embedded, . It is preferable that the user input / output unit 230 at this time is implemented by an integrated touch screen method as shown in the figure.

2, the user input / output unit 230 provides information on the refrigerator such as the temperature in the current refrigerator, the setting values stored in the preset value storage unit 240, and the like, For example, a concept that includes both a temperature control switch or a touch panel that allows the user to adjust the internal temperature of the refrigerator, and a liquid crystal display that displays information on the refrigerator to the user.

The set value storage unit 240 stores a set temperature value, a set illuminance value, and a time set value in the refrigerator input by a user or an administrator.

The cooling section 260 includes a compression section 261, a condensation section 262, an expansion section 263, an evaporation section 264, and a fan driving section 265, and has a function of controlling the temperature inside the refrigerator . The function of the cooling unit 260 is the same as that of the general refrigerator described above, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 250 operates the cooling unit 260 or stops the operation according to the temperature value input from the temperature sensing unit 210 and the illuminance value input from the illumination sensing unit 220.

Specifically, the control unit 250 compares the indoor temperature set in the refrigerator and the temperature input from the temperature sensing unit 210, stored in the set value storage unit 240, in the same manner as the conventional refrigerator described above, When the temperature is lowered by the predetermined range, the power supply to the cooling unit 260 (specifically, the compression unit 261 and the fan driving unit 265) is cut off. When the room temperature becomes higher and the temperature becomes higher than the set temperature by a predetermined range Power is supplied to the cooling section 260 (specifically, the compression section 261 and the fan drive section 265) so that the refrigerant is supplied to the compression section 261, the condensation section 262, the expansion section 263, 264 to circulate and perform the cooling operation.

When the illumination value input from the illumination detector 220 falls below the illumination intensity value stored in the setting value storage 240, the controller 250 turns off the illumination to take a sleep The power supply to the cooling unit 260 is stopped and the timer is operated inside. Then, when the time set value stored in the set value storage unit 240 elapses, the controller 250 determines that a sufficient time has elapsed for the user to enter the sleeping state and supplies power to the cooling unit 260 again.

4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator according to the illuminance of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 4, the user or the administrator inputs the setting illuminance value and the time setting value through the user input / output unit 230, and the control unit 250 outputs the inputted setting values to the setting value storage unit 240, (S400). The preferred embodiment of the present invention sets the setting illuminance value to about 5 LUX, and can be changed according to the situation of the indoor space in which the refrigerator is generally used. It should be noted that the time setting value is preferably set in units of one hour, but it can be set in a minute.

Thereafter, the refrigerator operates according to a general method, and it is checked in real time whether the illuminance value inputted from the illuminance detector 220 is changed from less than or equal to the set illuminance value stored in the preset value storage 240, If the value is equal to or greater than the set illuminance value, the current step is repeatedly performed (S410).

The control unit 250 determines that the user turns off the ambient lighting or draws a curtain in order to take a sleep and controls the cooling unit 260 to turn off the external power Power supplied to the cooling unit 260 is cut off as a supply source, and an internal timer is activated (S420). As a result, the operation of the driving motor and the cooling fans of the compression unit is stopped and the operation of the cooling unit 260 is stopped, so that the noise of the refrigerator is removed.

Meanwhile, while the operation of the refrigerating unit is stopped, the control unit 250 checks whether the time indicated by the time set value stored in the set value storage unit 240 has elapsed from the moment when the operation of the cooling unit 260 is stopped (S430 ). When the time elapses, it is determined that a sufficient time has elapsed for the user to take a good sleep and the power supply to the cooling unit 260 is resumed (S440). At this time, if the cooling unit 260 does not operate for a predetermined time, the temperature of the inside of the refrigerator has risen to a predetermined range of the preset temperature value. Thus, when the set time has elapsed, power is supplied to the cooling unit 260, (260).

5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling operation of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 5 illustrates a method of controlling the operation of the refrigerator by connecting the current temperature value sensed by the temperature sensing unit 210 in the refrigerator with the illuminance value.

First, when power is applied to the refrigerator, the controller 250 supplies power to the cooling unit 260 (S500).

Thereafter, the control unit 250 compares the measured temperature value input from the temperature sensing unit 210 installed in the refrigerator with the preset temperature value stored in the preset value storage unit 240, and if the measured temperature value is equal to the set temperature value If it is determined that the temperature is below the predetermined range (S510), the controller 250 cuts off the power supply to the cooling unit 260 (S515).

For example, when the user or the manager sets the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment to 4 ° C and the operating range is set to ± 2 ° C, the control unit 250 supplies power to the cooling unit 260 so that the cooling unit 260 The controller 250 cuts off the power supply to the cooling unit 260 when the internal temperature of the refrigerator is lower than 2 ° C.

When the power supply is interrupted, the temperature inside the refrigerator rises again, and the control unit 250 compares the measured temperature value inputted from the temperature sensing unit 210 with the set temperature value, and if the measured temperature value is not less than a predetermined range of the set temperature value If the timer is not in operation, the control unit 250 proceeds to step S500 to supply power to the cooling unit 260 (S530) ).

In the above-described example, when the internal temperature of the refrigerator rises to exceed the operating temperature range of 2 캜 for the set temperature value of 4 캜 and the internal temperature exceeds 6 캜, the controller 250 determines whether the internal timer is operating, That is, the user checks whether or not the lighting is turned off to take sleep, and waits until the set time elapses when the timer is in operation. However, if the timer is not in operation, the process proceeds to step S500 to supply power to the cooling unit 260 to lower the internal temperature of the refrigerator again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in operation S530 that the timer is in operation, the controller 250 checks whether the set time has elapsed. If the set time has elapsed, the controller 250 proceeds to operation S500 and supplies power to the cooling unit 260 And the internal temperature of the refrigerator is lowered again (S540).

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, when the lighting around the refrigerator is changed from a bright state to a dark state, power supply to the cooling unit 260 is interrupted, and power is supplied again only after a predetermined time has elapsed. In order to restart the cooling unit 260 when the user turns on the backlight after turning off the illumination, the controller 250 may set the measured illuminance value input from the illumination detector 220 When the measured illuminance value is changed beyond the setting illuminance value, the operation of the timer is stopped even before the set time has elapsed, and the power supply to the cooling unit 260 can be changed.

In this case, when the measured illuminance value changes to be equal to or greater than the set illuminance value, the control unit 250 may perform the process described in FIG. That is, the controller 250 stops the timer operation and performs the operation from step S510 to restart the refrigerator.

The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

As described above, the refrigerator operation control method and the refrigerator using the refrigerator according to the present invention recognize that when the illuminance is lowered from the setting illuminance value to less than the predetermined illuminance value, the user turns off the illumination to take a sleep, The power supply to the cooling unit is stopped to prevent noise caused by the operation of the motor and the fan of the cooling unit for a predetermined period of time set in advance and when the predetermined time sufficient for the user to take a good sleep has elapsed, It is possible to achieve the purpose of the present invention at the same time as enabling the user to take a good sleep.

Claims (10)

An illuminance detection unit for measuring a surrounding illuminance of the refrigerator to generate a measured illuminance value; A temperature sensing unit for measuring a temperature inside the refrigerator to generate a measured temperature value; A cooling unit that reduces the temperature inside the refrigerator through the circulation process of the refrigerant when the predetermined power is supplied; And And a control unit for interrupting power supply to the cooling unit for a predetermined time according to the measured illuminance value and the measured temperature value, Wherein, When the measured illuminance value is lower than the predetermined illuminance value, the timer is operated for a predetermined time, and the power supply to the cooling unit is interrupted while the timer is operating, The control unit interrupts power to the cooling unit when the measured temperature value is equal to or lower than a predetermined range of the predetermined set temperature value and checks whether the timer is in operation when the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than a predetermined range of the set temperature value, And supplies power to the cooling unit when the timer is not in operation, and supplies power to the cooling unit after the predetermined time has elapsed when the timer is in operation, Wherein the control unit supplies power to the cooling unit when the measured illuminance value input from the illuminance sensing unit changes to be equal to or greater than the preset illuminance value even before the predetermined time elapses. delete The method according to claim 1, A user input / output unit displaying the current state information of the refrigerator to the user and receiving at least one of the set illuminance value, the set temperature value, and the predetermined time from the user; And Further comprising a setting value storage unit for storing at least one of the setting illuminance value, the set temperature value, and the predetermined time. delete delete delete The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illuminance sensing unit An extension cable, and an optical sensor provided on an end face of the extension cable, Wherein the extension cable is coated with a coating of a predetermined material on a flexible metal which can adjust the degree of bending by applying a force so that the optical sensor is positioned at a position suitable for measuring the illuminance around the refrigerator. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the illuminance sensing unit includes a predetermined optical sensor, and the optical sensor is installed on a front surface of the refrigerator. A refrigerator operation control method for controlling operation of a refrigerator according to ambient illuminance of an operating refrigerator, (a) generating a measurement illuminance value by measuring an ambient illuminance of the refrigerator, and measuring an internal temperature of the refrigerator to generate a measured temperature value; (b) operating the timer for a predetermined time when the measured illuminance value is lower than the predetermined illuminance value and blocking the power supply to the cooling unit during the timer operation; (c) if the measured temperature value is less than or equal to a predetermined range of a predetermined set temperature value, shutting off the power to the cooling section, and if the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than a predetermined range of the set temperature value, checking whether the timer is in operation ; And (d) supplying power to the cooling unit when the timer is not in operation, and supplying power to the cooling unit after the predetermined time elapses when the timer is in operation, A method for controlling operation. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (d) Wherein when the measured illuminance value changes to be equal to or greater than the set illuminance value even before the predetermined time elapses, power is supplied to the cooling section.

Images